COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Illini can brag over their 9-1 break from the gate

Published
12:00 am CST, Saturday, December 11, 2010

They've won nine of 10 games and intend to be 11-1 going into their Braggin' Rights game against Missouri on Dec. 22 in St. Louis.

So the enlightened Illini have visions of a successful season. And since Illinois is ranked No. 16 in the latest national poll, the Illini have been quite productive. By the time they meet No. 15 Mizzou, 8-1 after beating Presbyterian, we'll know if they have the wherewithal to be prolific.

Tonight, they'll welcome Northern Colorado and on Saturday, they'll tangle with UIC at the Chicago's United Center to set the stage for the Border War at Scottrade Center.

That'll be an 8 p.m. start, with ESPN in the house. Illinois owns a 27-13 record against Missouri, including a 20-9 mark in The Lou. The Illini won eight straight before the Tigers scored an 81-68 victory last December.

"We're more consistent than we were last year," U of I coach Bruce Weber said. "But we can't be satisfied. We have to get better and accountable on every possession."

Defense remains Weber's top priority and he's constantly tinkering with it. His philosophy is to display it at a frenetic pace. Offense is more attuned to being relaxed and staying focused on running the play and shooting with confidence.

Weber's defense message is all about a swarming style. It's not the time to take it easy.

"The best way to play defense is to deny the guy on the other team from getting the ball," Weber said. "It's a hard concept to learn, but it keeps you from fouling too much.

"We stress that and we continually harp on rebounding. When we play good defense, we get transition baskets. Defense is pride, preparation and fundamentals. It's a difference-maker."

He figures the offense will take care of itself. So far, so good.

The Illini are averaging 78.9 points per game and they have four players scoring in double figures. Demetri McCamey (16.3 points and 7.2 assists) leads the way, followed by D.J. Richardson (11.7 points), Mike Davis (10.8 and 6.8 rebounds) and Mike Tisdale (10.7 and 7.2 rbs).

If you add Brandon Paul (9.4 points) and freshman Jereme Richmond (8.4) to the scoring mix, the Illini are getting more than 67 points an outing from those seven players. McCamey hit for 30 Wednesday in a 74-63 win over Oakland.

"We've been playing on a pretty big high and we've played pretty good basketball," Weber said of the team's quick getaway. "The big question is: Do we have the guys to make big plays and win the close games?"

Illinois enjoyed a 13-1 start two years ago. The Illini won their first 15 games in 2005-06 and sat at 29-0 through March 5 six years ago, when they finished 37-2 and second in the nation.

It's premature to decipher where this team will land, but the Illini are thinking about Houston. That's where the 2011 NCAA finals set up shop -- April 2 and 4 at Reliant Stadium.

"Our goal is to get to the Final Four," Davis said.

OUT AND ABOUT : Officials Ken Thaxton of Godfrey, Ken Schell of Jerseyville and Dave Carnaghi of Edwardsville are among the induction class for the 2011 Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

The 39th annual dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the Illinois State University student center in Normal. Tickets are $30 apiece. For more information, contact IBCA executive director Chuck Rolinski of Toluca at (815) 452-2903.

Thaxton, Schell and Carnaghi will be enshrined as referees. Former prep players Paul Lusk of Trenton Wesclin, Rick Suttle of East St. Louis Assumption, Marnie Triefenbach of Belleville West, plus friends of basketball Ed Sarhage and James Schwandez of Collinsville and Arthur Ehrat of Virden, also will be inducted. The Carlyle girls basketball teams from 1995-96 and 1996-97 also will be feted.

The IBCA has moved its Hall of Fame headquarters to Danville, Rolinski said.